» What are the risks associated with hysterectomy

For the majority of women a hysterectomy will a liberating experience and they will go on to lead perfectly normal lives, however for a small number the reverse may be true and we have listed a number of the risks which may be related to having a hysterectomy:

Irritable bowel syndrome which is stress related
Stress incontinence or other urinary symptoms
Damage to the urethra and bowel, this may be more prevalent if the cervix is removed due to their proximity
Prolapse of the vagina
Back pain
Depression
Loss of sexual feeling and function
Post operative infection
Haematomia (a collection of blood under the wound)
Thrombosis (blood clot)
Has been known to trigger arthritis, but the reason is unknown.

Some other conditions may also re-occur, this might include, adhesions, pelvic inflammatory disease and endometriosis. These are probably because they are all triggered by oestrogen, which the body will continue to produce naturally if a woman retains the ovaries or if a woman takes HRT if her ovaries were removed. For all of these conditions it is important to discuss with your doctor what treatment is available.